nannie
05-29-2003, 10:53 PM
HELP! My grandaughter is autistic and they want to put her on zyprexa, from what I have just read they are not even done testing and it was not recommended for children. Can anyone tell me why would her doc would want to give this to a 6 year old? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Sarmor
05-30-2003, 08:05 AM
My son was on zyprexa for three years, gained 40 lbs. I would never tell someone not to use medication, but please read all you can about this particular medication. I personally, would never put him back on it. I wish he had never been on it. Since being off, he has lost the weight and stopped needing food every minute of the day. I recommend looking into alternatives - but again, I am just a mom, not a doctor. I just think when the side effects are that huge, you have to really think about giving something to your child.
nannie
05-30-2003, 11:05 AM
thanks for the info. I do not like the fact that these meds are for mental problems that these children do not have. she has autism not schitzophrenia.{i know the spelling is wrong} When i am with her she does act up but i think it is frustration more than anything else. She has a very limited vocabulary and i think this is the source of her tantrums. I wonder how much of this pushing of meds is from her teacher? She has taken to going to the docs with my daughter and i have been told they are friends, {her and the doc}. Does she want a zombie who won't give a bit of trouble? I wonder? Is your son now taking any meds? Has he been on anything else?
triomom
05-30-2003, 11:47 AM
Ugh! Any doctor that prescribes meds as the first line of defense with an autistic child makes me nervous. And, I'm not anti-med. My 4yo AS son is on a mild dose of Prozac. But, that was after two years of interventional therapy, and it's under the supervision of a pediatric neurologist. It's a very mild dose, and we've watched carefully for side effects. So far we've seen an increase in eye-contact and verbalization, with no side effects. The idea is that it helps the pathways in the brain work better, allowing him to function better, and therefore learn better. It's not meant to make him a zombie so someone else doesn't have to deal with him. And, I don't want to keep him on it for long.
But, like I said, anyone who runs for the big drugs as the first line scares me. There's so many other, less stresful (and I think more effective) therapies and protocols that you can try first.
One thing many of us forget (and it sounds silly, but we are all so brainwashed!) is that just because our docs want to do something, we can still say NO. Hit the internet, do the research and make your own judgement. We have access to much of the same info that the docs have, and in 15 minutes you will learn an awful lot. If you're not comfortable, then don't do it.
Another thing my doctor-sister pointed out, we don't know the long term effects of many of these new meds. Something like Prozac has been around for 20 years, and the long term effects are pretty well tracked and documented. But the new stuff??? We just don't know.
Good luck, and let us know what she decides!
But, like I said, anyone who runs for the big drugs as the first line scares me. There's so many other, less stresful (and I think more effective) therapies and protocols that you can try first.
One thing many of us forget (and it sounds silly, but we are all so brainwashed!) is that just because our docs want to do something, we can still say NO. Hit the internet, do the research and make your own judgement. We have access to much of the same info that the docs have, and in 15 minutes you will learn an awful lot. If you're not comfortable, then don't do it.
Another thing my doctor-sister pointed out, we don't know the long term effects of many of these new meds. Something like Prozac has been around for 20 years, and the long term effects are pretty well tracked and documented. But the new stuff??? We just don't know.
Good luck, and let us know what she decides!
nannie
05-30-2003, 12:12 PM
dear trio mom
I don't know what to do. I am going to make an appointment with this teacher and the doc. I do not want a 6 yr. old on these meds that like you said,"what are the long term effects",I can't believe they are still putting meds out there to the public when they have not been studied. I read something that said they are not done testing this zyprexa and have done no studies involving children. To me this is a crime.
I don't know what to do. I am going to make an appointment with this teacher and the doc. I do not want a 6 yr. old on these meds that like you said,"what are the long term effects",I can't believe they are still putting meds out there to the public when they have not been studied. I read something that said they are not done testing this zyprexa and have done no studies involving children. To me this is a crime.
triomom
05-30-2003, 01:17 PM
You're doing the right thing. Be sure to do your research before meeting with them, though. You'll be better armed! Learn as much as you can, and if you can, perhaps suggest some alternatives.
Have they tried any other therapies or interventions with your granddaughter? When was she diagnosed?
Have they tried any other therapies or interventions with your granddaughter? When was she diagnosed?
nannie
05-30-2003, 01:43 PM
dear triomom
I will take your advice and go in there armed to the teeth. she was diagnosed at age three,she is now six.she was on risperdal but they want to switch her to the zyprexa,she is also on adderall. The meds only came up because her teacher complained of her behavier. I think she needs a lot of attention, for some reason she gravitates towards adults and I'm wondering if she just does not want to deal with her. I know when I have her she wears me out cause I give her my undivided attention and she eats it up. she is such a sweet natured child and I can tell she knows what is going on she just can't get it out verbally, which is a high source of frustration for her. I would like to try some of the vitamin formulas I have read about. Any experiance with any of these?
I will take your advice and go in there armed to the teeth. she was diagnosed at age three,she is now six.she was on risperdal but they want to switch her to the zyprexa,she is also on adderall. The meds only came up because her teacher complained of her behavier. I think she needs a lot of attention, for some reason she gravitates towards adults and I'm wondering if she just does not want to deal with her. I know when I have her she wears me out cause I give her my undivided attention and she eats it up. she is such a sweet natured child and I can tell she knows what is going on she just can't get it out verbally, which is a high source of frustration for her. I would like to try some of the vitamin formulas I have read about. Any experiance with any of these?
Sarmor
06-01-2003, 10:00 AM
nannie
read all the messages under the heading vitamins - there are a lot of things out there that potentially can help your granddaughter. I wish I had said no to some of my son's doctors - but it is difficult when you think of the meds as offering hope. Sometimes they do help, but again research everything thoroughly. Sometimes we know more than some of these doctors.
[This message has been edited by Sarmor (edited 06-01-2003).]
read all the messages under the heading vitamins - there are a lot of things out there that potentially can help your granddaughter. I wish I had said no to some of my son's doctors - but it is difficult when you think of the meds as offering hope. Sometimes they do help, but again research everything thoroughly. Sometimes we know more than some of these doctors.
[This message has been edited by Sarmor (edited 06-01-2003).]
nannie
06-01-2003, 11:34 AM
sarmor
thanks for the support, god knows we need it.I am going in to talk to this teacher and try to find out if she is a med pusher, I get the feeling she might be.
thanks for the support, god knows we need it.I am going in to talk to this teacher and try to find out if she is a med pusher, I get the feeling she might be.